The hottest Venture Capital Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

290 Cybersecurity Funding Rounds, 160 Acquisitions

The Security Industry • 13 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. In the first half of 2025, cybersecurity funding is on track to exceed $17 billion with 290 investment rounds already recorded. This shows that the industry is recovering and thriving.
  2. Artificial Intelligence security companies are gaining attention and investments, representing 16% of the total funding this year. Data Security and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) sectors are also popular among investors.
  3. There have been 160 acquisitions in the cybersecurity space, which is slightly higher than the previous year. This suggests that companies are eager to invest in cybersecurity to boost their portfolios.

Fund Size is Strategy - Extreme Power Law Will Make Portfolio Company Conflicts a Relic of the Past

Venture Reflections • 13 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Larger venture funds need to invest in the biggest winning companies, which may lead to conflicts of interest with portfolio companies.
  2. The traditional norm of avoiding investments in competing companies might fade away as firms seek to secure positions in top-performing startups.
  3. Founders generally prefer that their investors don't back competing companies, but large funds might ignore this preference if it conflicts with their investment strategies.

New Wave 🌊 One Year In 🎂 Hiring 🔥

Venture Prose • 99 implied HN points • 28 Feb 22
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. New Wave venture firm achieved impressive results in just one year: 10 investments, 22M€ deployed, 6 rounds announced, and 265M€ raised by portfolio companies. Their IRR stands at 500% and TVPI at 3x.
  2. New Wave focuses on seed deals and carefully selects companies on the critical path between Seed and Series A, emphasizing building strong equity stories with founders.
  3. New Wave is looking to hire individuals with key attributes such as the ability to sift through data effectively, form and defend opinions thoughtfully, and cultivate strong relationships.

Equal Ventures is Hiring Associates

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Equal Ventures is hiring two Associates for its investment team in New York to work on industry research, investment analysis, and portfolio support
  2. Candidates with 2-4+ years of experience in consulting, equity research, private equity, or investment banking are encouraged to apply, along with those who are intellectually curious, passionate about startups, professional, self-directed, and friendly
  3. Potential applicants are required to email their LinkedIn profile, resume, and answer specific questions related to industry sectors, investment opportunities, contrarian beliefs, and personal passions, with responses expected within 2 weeks
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Read Write Own, Reviewed

The Future, Now and Then • 92 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Venture Capital
  1. Chris Dixon's book 'Read Write Own' discusses the impact of blockchain technology, but fails to address the potential downsides of Web3 projects and the financial risks involved.
  2. Dixon's vision for Web3 revolves around tokenomics and a future where everyone is an owner and investor, which can lead to increased financial precarity and reliance on speculative investments.
  3. The book highlights Dixon's overconfidence in blockchain technology, lack of detailed understanding of technical aspects, and his past involvement in hyped NFT and play-to-earn ventures, casting doubt on his ability to provide a realistic and innovative vision for the future of the internet.

The Billion Dollar Revenue Club

next big thing • 145 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The Unicorn era is making way for companies that focus on achieving over $1 billion in annual revenue.
  2. Venture funding should prioritize companies with potential to reach over $1 billion in annual revenue, rather than just a high valuation.
  3. The focus on $1+ billion in annual revenue is seen as a healthier and more sustainable goal for companies than chasing a valuation north of $1 billion.

Y Combinator Bets on New Space Startups

Space Ambition • 1 HN point • 09 Aug 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Y Combinator is investing more in SpaceTech startups, with over 30 companies in their portfolio, showing a growing interest in space innovation since 2015.
  2. Most successful startups in Y Combinator's SpaceTech program have founders with aerospace backgrounds, often from well-known companies like SpaceX or NASA, which helps attract funding.
  3. The current accelerator batch has some exciting new startups, including those focusing on data centers in space and advanced weather balloons, indicating fresh ideas in the space sector.

Why Blackrock invested into FTX[Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 10 Dec 22
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Smart money investors may not always thoroughly understand the businesses they invest in, sometimes basing decisions on trends or buzzwords rather than solid research.
  2. Investors like Blackrock may invest in numerous startups, making it feasible for them to overlook losses in some investments if one startup gives a significantly high return.
  3. Investors can get caught up in hype and euphoria, leading them to invest in companies that may not be sound businesses, with the main goal often being a profitable exit rather than the success of the business.

#31 Episode - VC Funds Regulatory Playbook

Law of VC • 89 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The Carta Policy Team released a comprehensive VC Regulatory Playbook that simplifies the complex SEC rules for emerging fund managers.
  2. The playbook covers crucial topics including the regulation of fundraising, private funds, and fund managers along with an ERA Compliance Checklist.
  3. Fund managers can learn about specific regulations such as the Section 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) exemptions, the requirements for venture capital funds, and the importance of filing a Form ADV.

Asking the Right Questions

Equal Ventures • 138 implied HN points • 29 Jun 21
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. In the world of venture capital, it's essential to differentiate between 'information gathering' and 'conviction building.'
  2. Conviction building involves asking the right questions that focus on the core aspects that truly matter for investment.
  3. Efficiency in the investment process is key; asking the right questions saves time and streamlines decision-making.

Second Winds

SatPost by Trung Phan • 84 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Venture Capital
  1. Many famous YouTubers are quitting after about a decade due to burnout, desire for new challenges, and moving on to new things.
  2. Václav Havel's essay 'Second Wind' explores the choices an artist has after initial success: repeat past successes, build on them in the same lane, or try something completely new for a 'second wind.'
  3. YouTubers like Tom Scott, MatPat, and Seth Everman are examples of creators seeking their 'second winds' by quitting YouTube after around ten years of success.

A Bank of One's Own

Monomythical • 166 HN points • 11 Mar 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Many startup employees are unable to afford buying equity in the company they work for, leading to missed opportunities.
  2. Traditional banks often do not cater well to the financial needs of individuals involved in startups or venture capital.
  3. There is a need for more institutional support and celebration of diverse backgrounds in the entrepreneurial and creative fields.

The Long Game 169: AI Investment Thesis, Peter Attia, Earth AI, Science-Based Lifting

The Long Game by Mehdi Yacoubi • 3 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Venture Capital
  1. Longevity works best when you focus on basics—build muscle, move often, eat and sleep reasonably well—and avoid turning health into constant self-surveillance that makes you feel fragile.
  2. The AI app market is unstable because foundational model providers can rapidly absorb app features, so most startups either need to generate quick cash, aim to be acquired, or specialize in niches with unique atom-level data, hardware, or heavy enterprise integration.
  3. Real competitive advantage comes from controlling the full loop: huge, cleaned datasets, continent-scale multimodal models, and cheap execution that ties AI to real-world testing, and founders should build from conviction rather than chasing what’s currently fundable.

Accelerationism is Terrorism

Never Met a Science • 105 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Venture Capital
  1. Accelerationism is a form of terrorism fueled by unsustainable concentration of power.
  2. Engineers now hold societal power, overshadowing the importance of humanities.
  3. Accelerating technological development without understanding its consequences is dangerous and dehumanizing.

307 Cybersecurity Exhibitors at Black Hat 2025

The Security Industry • 10 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Venture Capital
  1. At Black Hat 2025, there will be 307 exhibitors focusing on cybersecurity. This event gives you a chance to meet many of the top vendors in the industry.
  2. These cybersecurity vendors have received over $43 billion in funding, showing the industry's rapid growth and strong investment interest.
  3. Despite global challenges, the number of exhibitors remains steady compared to last year. This indicates that companies still want to participate and showcase their solutions.

James Wise: Why We Need More Entrepreneurs

Danielle Newnham • 19 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. James Wise emphasizes the importance of having more entrepreneurs for the greater good.
  2. Balderton Capital, where James is a Partner, focuses on investing in European startups and has a strong track record.
  3. James Wise prioritizes investing in artificial intelligence, sustainability, health tech, and supports founder wellbeing in entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship in the World of Investing

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 06 Oct 22
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Persistence and determination are crucial in pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams, even in the face of rejection and doubts.
  2. Collaborating with like-minded peers and building a supportive community can be instrumental in navigating challenges and achieving success.
  3. Innovation and originality are essential in the venture capital industry, and emerging managers play a fundamental role in driving necessary evolution.

VC Recipe

Venture Prose • 199 implied HN points • 13 Oct 20
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Success in cooking and venture capital requires time, experience, and the ability to adapt.
  2. Venture capital involves dealing with chaos and uncertainty, but principles and a long-term horizon can guide decisions.
  3. To succeed in venture capital, focus on timing, biases, competition, specialization, and building capacity and capability.

On building data-driven VC in Emerging Market firsthand

nonamevc • 8 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Data tools are essential for managing investments in multiple frontier markets. Without them, investors risk falling behind the competition.
  2. It's important to build a strong database that reflects local conditions since emerging markets don't follow the same growth patterns as startups in places like Silicon Valley.
  3. Combining different data signals provides better insights. Just looking at one metric isn't enough; you need to see the bigger picture to make smart investment decisions.

Building Codiga: Don’t believe the hype

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. It's important to focus on real value for users rather than chasing trends. If your product doesn't help people, it may fail.
  2. Many startups get attention for being trendy, but often they lack substance and can collapse quickly. Investors sometimes get blinded by hype.
  3. Staying true to solid principles and avoiding the latest fads will lead to better, longer-lasting companies. Always ask if what you are offering is truly valuable.

Everyone Thinks They Are Underfunded

Superfluid • 13 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Many businesses feel underfunded, but the real issue is how capital is allocated, not its availability. Some sectors get much more funding than others, leaving some companies behind.
  2. There's a growing trend where venture capital is moving towards non-traditional tech areas. Companies in industries outside the usual tech focus can attract investment if they use technology creatively.
  3. If you're a founder feeling underfunded, remember there are other funding sources besides VCs. Being resourceful and strategic can help you grow your business sustainably, even without large amounts of capital.

Series A activity: Week of October 09, 2023

Magid and Co • 19 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The post shares data about Series A deals completed in the last week.
  2. The summary statistics focus on Series A deals globally (excluding China) with fundraising exceeding $5M and companies not in therapeutics.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe for free to receive more posts and show support.

Ways to start a startup

Joshua's Notes • 19 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Bootstrapping gives you full control but limited access to capital.
  2. Venture capital offers rapid scaling but comes with loss of control and pressure.
  3. Crowdfunding provides exposure and validation, but can be time-consuming and risky.

🤰🏽Mom-led startup action, exit trends, pivots, raises, top accelerators, funding, and more

Lolita's Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 16 May 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Moms in the United States control a significant portion of household purchases, showing impressive spending power.
  2. Mom founders like Jessica Alba, Melanie Perkins, Toyin Ajayi, and Whitney Wolf have achieved unicorn status with their startups.
  3. Supporting mom-led startups can lead to significant investments, high valuations, and successful exits.

Series A Activity: May 2023

Magid and Co • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The Series A market has a significant gap between the number of funds a founder knows and the number actually leading rounds, leading to inefficiencies.
  2. There is a challenge for founders to discover funds that could fit, and for funds to find suitable companies without appearing intrusive or shady.
  3. Fundamental changes in operational approaches are needed to address the challenges in fund discovery and cold outreach, tools alone may not be enough.

Series A activity: Week of July 24, 2023

Magid and Co • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Data on Series A deals done in the last week is available for download. The deals worldwide exclude China and focus on amounts greater than $5M.
  2. The summary stats show global Series A deals not focused on therapeutics and with amounts raised over $5M.
  3. Readers can subscribe for free to receive new posts and support the work of Magid and Co.

How to Run an Angel Syndicate: Part 1 - The Syndicate Tech Stack

The Odin Times • 19 implied HN points • 14 May 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Running an angel syndicate requires specific software tools and a thoughtful tech stack.
  2. Key considerations for optimizing your tech stack include low running costs, maximum utility per tool, and minimizing the number of tools used.
  3. Tools recommended for angel syndicate operations include those for LP onboarding, LP management, deal flow distribution, data room management, analytics & tracking, and SPV administration.

Announcing the Second Annual Emerging Manager Circle Summit

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The Emerging Manager Circle (EMC) provides support and mentorship for emerging VC fund managers globally.
  2. The Second Annual Emerging Manager Circle Summit is a highly anticipated event featuring prominent speakers and aims to democratize the process of firm building.
  3. The summit brings together industry leaders, offers an intimate environment, and encourages applications from those interested in venture firm building or investing in emerging managers.

Investing for Alpha or Beta?

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
💰 Finance Venture Capital
  1. Venture capital industry can exhibit herd behavior and be consensus-driven, deviating from contrarian thinking.
  2. Investors chasing beta during market peaks can lead to significant losses when the market corrects, highlighting the importance of sound investment strategies.
  3. Sticking to core investment sectors, avoiding chasing trends, and focusing on long-term conviction can lead to sustainable returns independent of market cycles.

Series A activity: Week of August 28, 2023

Magid and Co • 19 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. A program called Shortcut Labs has been launched to help companies raise Series A funding easier by focusing on building repeatable growth for exceptional companies.
  2. The post shares data on Series A deals worldwide (excluding China) where the amount raised is over $5M and the company is not focused on therapeutics.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to Magid and Co for more updates on Series A activity and to support the work.

Digest 6/20/23

axialdaily • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Axial partners with inventors in life sciences for early-stage investments
  2. Octave Bioscience focuses on MS care management with a blood test
  3. Immunology discoveries rely heavily on experimental research

When Big Finance Enters the Space Industry

Intersections (by Filip) • 19 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
💰 Finance Venture Capital
  1. Finance plays a crucial role in the space industry, with the need for understanding how big finance impacts space startups, from funding to strategic decisions.
  2. The field of finance exists to facilitate the flow of capital between households with savings and companies needing funding, focusing on growth and return on investment.
  3. Different investor types have varying expectations for returns, so it's important to align funding sources with the goals and growth plans of a startup to secure sustainable growth.

👻 Fight 💥

Venture Prose • 219 implied HN points • 29 Apr 20
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The importance of defending against disrespectful behavior and engaging in constructive conflicts to potentially change one's own perspective.
  2. Having a growth mindset involves welcoming different views and understanding others' feelings for fruitful discussions.
  3. Emphasizing positive honesty and the need for respectful engagement in discussions, negotiations, and conflicts.

Is 2023 the very best or the very worst time to be investing in AI?

Entry Level Investing • 100 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Venture Capital
  1. Interest rates impact tech company valuations, especially high growth tech companies sensitive to changes.
  2. VC deal activity and funding have decreased in 2023 due to compressed valuations in public markets.
  3. AI investments are increasing as a bright spot in the market, with investors turning to AI startups amid a grim funding environment.